Coated media for improved output tray stacking performance

ABSTRACT

The present invention is drawn to compositions and coated substrates wherein a hydrophobic backside coating layer can be implemented for use that mitigates ink transfer, surface damage, smudging, and sticking between stacked sheets in output trays of ink-jet ink printers. The backside coating can comprise hydrophobic beads suspended in a polymeric blend having a hydrophilic polymeric binder component and a hydrophobic polymeric binder component. Alternatively, the coating can comprise a hydrophobic binder blended with a natural wax. Either coating can be applied directly to the backside of a media substrate or on top of an existing hydrophilic layer that is typically applied for curl and sheet feed performance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is drawn to the area of ink-jet imaging.More specifically, inkjet prints can rapidly printed and stacked in areceiving tray without substantial smearing of the printed image or inktransfer to the back of adjacent media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In recent years, computer printer technology has evolved to apoint where very high resolution images can be transferred to varioustypes of media, including paper. One particular type of printinginvolves the placement of small drops of a fluid ink onto a mediasurface in response to a digital signal. Typically, the fluid ink isplaced or jetted onto the surface without physical contact between theprinting device and the surface. Within this general technique, thespecific method that the ink-jet ink is deposited onto the printingsurface varies from system to system, and can include continuous inkdeposit and drop-on-demand ink deposit.

[0003] With regard to continuous printing systems, inks used aretypically based on solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone and ethanol.Essentially, continuous printing systems function as a stream of inkdroplets are ejected and directed by a printer nozzle. The ink dropletsare directed additionally with the assistance of an electrostaticcharging device in close proximity to the nozzle. If the ink is not usedon the desired printing surface, the ink is recycled for later use. Withregard to drop-on-demand printing systems, the ink-jet inks aretypically based upon water and glycols. Essentially, with these systems,ink droplets are propelled from a nozzle by heat or by a pressure wavesuch that all of the ink droplets ejected are used to form the printedimage.

[0004] There are several reasons that ink-jet printing has become apopular way of recording images on various media surfaces, particularlypaper. Some of these reasons include low printer noise, capability ofhigh speed recording, and multi-color recording. Additionally, theseadvantages can be obtained at a relatively low price to consumers.However, though there has been great improvement in ink-jet printing,accompanying this improvement are increased demands by consumers in thisarea, e.g., higher speeds, higher resolution, full color imageformation, increased stability, etc. As new ink-jet inks are developed,there have been several traditional characteristics to consider whenevaluating the ink in conjunction with a printing surface or substrate.Such characteristics include edge acuity and optical density of theimage on the surface, dry time of the ink on the substrate, adhesion tothe substrate, lack of deviation of ink droplets, presence of all dots,resistance of the ink after drying to water and other solvents, longterm storage stability, and long term reliability without corrosion ornozzle clogging. Though the above list of characteristics provides aworthy goal to achieve, there are difficulties associated withsatisfying all of the above characteristics. Often, the inclusion of anink component meant to satisfy one of the above characteristics canprevent another characteristic from being met. Thus, most commercialinks for use in ink-jet printers represent a compromise in an attempt toachieve at least an adequate response in meeting all of the above listedrequirements.

[0005] In general, ink-jet inks are either dye- or pigment-based inks.Both are typically prepared in an ink vehicle that contains the dyeand/or the pigment. Dye-based ink-jet inks generally use a liquidcolorant that is usually water-based to turn the media a specific color.Conversely, pigmented inks typically use a solid or dispersed colorantto achieve color.

[0006] Papers used for ink-jet printing have typically includedhigh-quality or wood-free papers designed to have a high inkabsorptivity. These papers are functionally good for ink-jet printingbecause the ink-jet inks may be absorbed readily and dry quickly.However, such papers often do not allow for a crisp or sharp image.Thus, in order to attain enhanced print quality and image quality as ina photograph, special media has been developed to work with aqueousinks. For example, various coating coated papers (art paper, coat paper,cast-coat paper, etc.) have been prepared by coating a layer comprisinga hydrophilic binder and an inorganic pigment or particulate on a papersubstrate. Additionally, recording sheets have been prepared by coatingan ink absorptive layer on paper or other supports, e.g., transparent oropaque plastic film supports. An example of such specialty mediautilizes a swelling-type ink absorptive layer, e.g., gelatin, polyvinylalcohol, methyl cellulose, and the like. Though swellable media providesa relatively good substrate with respect to certain image qualityproperties, a drawback includes the fact that swellable media requiresmore dry-time than other types of media. As digital imaging becomes morepopular, and inkjet output devices continue to push photo printingspeeds, it has become increasingly important for inkjet prints to beable to be stacked in a printer output trays without smearing theprinted image or sticking to adjacent media sheets. In other words, as abyproduct of rapid printing speeds, printed media must often be stackedbefore the printed image is sufficiently dry to prevent smearing or inktransfer. Though this problem is especially prevalent when usingswellable media, it can be a problem with nearly all other types ofmedia as well, depending on the ink, substrate, and print speed selectedfor use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It has been recognized that ink-jet printing media can beprepared that minimizes ink transfer from the front of a printed mediasheet to the back of a second media sheet when stacked in a printeroutput tray. It has been further recognized that such ink-jet printingmedia, upon printing and stacking, provides decreased gloss loss and/orsurface damage of the printed image.

[0008] With this in mind, a coated substrate for ink-jet ink printingcan comprise a printing surface and an opposing back surface, whereinthe printing surface comprises a coating formulated for accepting anaqueous ink-jet ink composition, and the back surface comprises acoating formulated for repelling the aqueous inkjet ink composition.

[0009] Additionally, ink-jet ink printing media can comprise a papersubstrate having a first side and an opposing second side; a hydrophilicpolymeric material coated on the first side and the second side of thesubstrate; and a substantially hydrophobic polymeric composite materialcoated over the hydrophilic polymeric material on the second side of thesubstrate.

[0010] Next, a composite coating material for overcoating hydrophiliccoated printing media can comprise a polymeric blend of a hydrophilicpolymeric binder and a hydrophobic polymeric binder, wherein thepolymeric blend has a hydrophilic polymeric binder to hydrophobicpolymeric binder ratio from 1:5 to 1:1 by weight; and hydrophobic beadsdispersed within the polymeric blend, wherein the polymeric blend tohydrophobic bead ratio is from 1:9 to 8:2 by weight.

[0011] Next, a coated substrate for ink-jet ink printing can comprise aprinting surface and an opposing back surface, wherein the printingsurface comprises a coating formulated for accepting an ink-jet inkcomposition, and wherein the back surface comprises a backcoatingformulated for repelling the inkjet ink composition. In this embodiment,the backcoating can comprise a hydrophobic polymeric binder blended witha natural wax, for example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this invention is not limited to the particularprocess steps and materials disclosed herein because such process stepsand materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only. The terms are not intended to be limiting because thescope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by theappended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0013] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0014] “Hydrophilic polymeric binder” includes any polymeric materialthat has an affinity for water, or which is readily wetted or mixed withwater.

[0015] “Hydrophobic polymeric binder” includes any polymeric materialthat lacks an affinity for water, or which is not readily wetted ormixed with water.

[0016] “Polymeric blend” when referring to a blend of a hydrophilicpolymeric binder and a hydrophobic polymeric binder in accordance withthe present invention includes any blend that is at least 50%hydrophobic. Preferably, the blend will be a continuous blend, thoughthis is not required.

[0017] “Hydrophobic beads” includes any polymeric particulate that canbe dispersed in a polymeric blend. Such hydrophobic beads do not act asbinders in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, and canprovide surface roughness that improves stacking performance.

[0018] “Natural wax” includes any lipid hydrocarbon substance thatexists naturally in animals, plants, minerals, and/or petroleum. Forexamples, such waxes can include Carnauba wax, Montan wax, and Paraffin.

[0019] “Substrate” includes any substrate that can be coated inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, such as filmbase substrates, polymeric substrates, conventional paper substrates,and the like. Further, pre-coated substrates, such as polymeric coatedsubstrates or swellable media, can also be used in embodiments of thepresent invention as well.

[0020] “Hydrophilic polymeric material” includes a coating for asubstrate, such as a paper, that is primarily hydrophilic. Suchhydrophilic polymeric material can be coated on both sides of asubstrate to provide a good printing surface for ink-jet inkapplications, as well as to provide balance to the back of thesubstrate, preventing substrate curl that may occur with a papersubstrate. When a hydrophilic polymeric material is coated on asubstrate, it is said to be “hydrophilic coated printed media.”

[0021] A hydrophobic backside coating layer has been developed whichhighly mitigates smudging and sticking between stacked sheets in outputtrays of ink-jet ink printers. The coating can comprise a hydrophobicbead suspended in a polymeric blend having a hydrophilic polymericbinder component and a hydrophobic polymeric binder component. Thecoating can be applied directly to the backside of a media substrate oron top of an existing hydrophilic layer that is typically applied forreduced curl and sheet feed performance. Alternatively, a hydrophobiccoating comprising a blend of a hydrophobic binder and a natural wax canbe used.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, a coated substrate forink-jet ink printing can comprise a printing surface and an opposingback surface, wherein the printing surface comprises a coatingformulated for accepting an inkjet ink composition, and the back surfacecomprises a coating formulated for repelling said ink-jet inkcomposition.

[0023] The printing surface can comprise a swellable coating or othercoating configured for photographic printing such as coatings comprisinghydrophilic material. Further, the back surface can comprise asubstantially hydrophobic coating. In one embodiment, the hydrophobiccoating can be a polymeric blend of a hydrophilic polymeric binder and ahydrophobic polymeric binder, and further comprise hydrophobic beadsdispersed within the polymeric blend. In this embodiment, thehydrophilic polymeric binder to hydrophobic polymeric binder ratio canbe from 1:5 to 1:1 by weight, and includes a more preferred range from1:4 to 2:3 by weight, and further includes a more preferred weight ratioof about 1:2. With respect to the polymeric blend to hydrophobic beadratio, a range can include from 1:9 to 8:2 by weight, with a morepreferred range from 1:3 to 3:2 by weight, and still a more preferredweight ratio of about 5:4. In a second embodiment, the hydrophobiccoating can be a blend of a hydrophobic binder and a natural wax,preferably at a binder to wax ratio from 1:9 to 9:1 by weight.

[0024] In the former embodiment where a hydrophilic polymeric binder ispart of the substantially hydrophobic coating, the hydrophilic polymericbinder for use can be selected from the group consisting of gelatin,polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyethyleneoxide, and combinations thereof. Additionally, within the substantiallyhydrophobic coating, the hydrophobic polymeric binder can be selectedfrom the group consisting of styrene/methacrylate copolymers, acrylates,methacrylates, and combinations thereof. Further, as mentioned, as partof the substantially hydrophobic coating, hydrophobic beads can bedispersed within the polymeric blend, i.e., hydrophilic polymeric binderand hydrophobic polymeric binder. Such beads can be hydrophobicpolymeric beads including those selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylene, polystyrene, polymethacrylate, polyacrylate, as well asglass and silica. If such beads are present, sizes ranging from 0.01 μmto 100 μm are preferred.

[0025] Alternatively, the coating on the back surface can comprise ahydrophobic polymeric binder blended with a natural wax as thebackcoating. Again, the hydrophobic polymeric binder can selected fromthe group consisting of styrene/methacrylate copolymers, acrylates,methacrylates and combinations thereof. In this embodiment, such ahydrophobic coating can have a hydrophobic binder to natural wax ratiofrom 1:9 to 9:1 by weight. It is preferred that this coating wouldprovide an average surface roughness greater than about 80 Sheffieldunits, and more preferably, greater than 180 Sheffield units.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, ink-jet inkprinting media can comprise a paper substrate having a first side and anopposing second side; a hydrophilic polymeric material coated on thefirst side and the second side of the substrate; and a substantiallyhydrophobic polymeric composite material coated over the hydrophilicpolymeric material on the second side of the substrate. The hydrophilicpolymeric material that is coated on the substrate can be a memberselected from the group consisting of gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, methylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyethylene oxide, and combinationsthereof. Additionally, the substantially hydrophobic composite materialcan comprise a polymeric blend of a hydrophilic polymeric binder and ahydrophobic polymeric binder having at least 50% by weight of thehydrophobic polymeric binder. Further, the substantially hydrophobicpolymeric composite material can comprise further hydrophobic beadsdispersed within the polymeric blend.

[0027] The hydrophilic polymeric binder present in the substantiallyhydrophobic polymeric composite material can be the same or a similarmaterial used as the hydrophilic polymeric material coated on thesubstrate. To avoid confusion, when referring the hydrophilic polymericmaterial in this embodiment, what is meant is the coating material thatis applied to both sides of a substrate to provide a good printingsurface on a printing side, and a balance coating on the non-printingside. The reason such double sided printing is often desired, eventhough printing is normally carried out on a single side, is to preventpaper curl. Generally, when one coats a single side and the paper isexposed to dry and/or cold conditions, the paper has a tendency to curl.Thus, with respect to the present embodiment, the hydrophilic polymericmaterial is coated on both sides. Then, on the backside, thesubstantially hydrophobic polymeric composite material coating having ahydrophilic polymeric binder can be present as an overcoating. Thepresence of the hydrophilic polymeric binder acts, in part, to help bindthe substantially hydrophobic polymeric coating material to thehydrophilic polymeric coating material. Thus, what is meant bysubstantially hydrophobic polymeric material is that the materialcomprises greater than 50% of a hydrophobic polymeric binder as part ofthe polymeric blend. This being said, the hydrophilic polymeric bindercan be any functional hydrophilic binder including those selected fromthe group consisting of gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose,polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyethylene oxide and combinations thereof.Preferably, the hydrophilic polymeric binder is a polyvinyl alcohol.Further, the hydrophobic polymeric binder can be any functionalhydrophobic polymeric binder including those selected from the groupconsisting of styrene/methacrylate copolymers, acrylates, methacrylatesand combinations thereof. Preferably, the hydrophobic binder is astyrene/methacrylate copolymer.

[0028] In a further detailed aspect of the invention, it is preferredthat the substantially hydrophobic polymeric composite material furthercomprise hydrophobic beads dispersed within the polymeric blend. Suchhydrophobic beads can be any that are functional including thoseselected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene,polymethacrylate, polyacrylate, glass, silica, and combinations thereof.Preferably the hydrophobic beads comprise polyethylene.

[0029] As stated, the ink jet printing media of the present embodimentcan be coated with the substantially hydrophobic polymeric compositematerial as described previously. Such a composite coating material forovercoating hydrophilic coated printing media can comprise a polymericblend of a hydrophilic polymeric binder and a hydrophobic polymericbinder, wherein the polymeric blend has a hydrophilic polymeric binderto hydrophobic polymeric binder ratio from 1:5 to 1:1 by weight; andhydrophobic beads dispersed within the polymeric blend, wherein thepolymeric blend to hydrophobic bead ratio is from 1:9 to 8:2 by weight.In a more detailed aspect of these embodiments, the hydrophilicpolymeric binder to hydrophobic polymeric binder ratio can be from 1:4to 2:3 by weight, preferably about 1:2 by weight. Additionally, thepolymeric blend to hydrophobic bead ratio can be from 1:3 to 3:2 byweight, preferably about 5:4 by weight. Again, if such beads arepresent, sizes ranging from 0.01 μm to 100 μm are preferred.

[0030] In an alternative aspect of the present invention, a coatedsubstrate for ink-jet ink printing can comprise a coated substratehaving a printing surface and an opposing back surface. The printingsurface can include a coating formulated for accepting an ink-jet inkcomposition. The back surface can include a backcoating formulated forrepelling the ink-jet ink composition, such as made functional with abackcoating that comprises a hydrophobic polymeric binder blended with anatural wax. The hydrophobic polymeric binder can be selected from thegroup consisting of styrene/methacrylate copolymers, acrylates,methacrylates and combinations thereof, and can be present in relationto the wax at a hydrophobic binder to natural wax ratio from 1:9 to 9:1by weight the substantially hydrophobic coating, preferably, has anaverage surface roughness greater than about 80 Sheffield units, thoughgreater values can provide improved results.

[0031] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, variouscoating techniques can be implemented as is desired. A coating solutioncan be prepared and be coated on a substrate by any suitable techniquefor the application of coating compositions. For example, a substratecan be coated by spray coating, dip coating, cascade coating, swirlcoating, extrusion hopper coating, curtain coating, air knife coating,cast coating, and/or by using other known coating techniques. Thethickness selected for each coated layer can depend upon the particularrequirement or application, as would be ascertainable by one skilled inthe art. Further, multi-layer coatings can be implemented, taking intoaccount viscosity of the various coating solutions.

EXAMPLES

[0032] The following examples illustrate various formulations forpreparing the coatings for ink-jet ink media substrates of the presentinvention. The following examples should not be considered aslimitations of the invention, but should merely teach how to make knowncoatings and coated substrates based upon current experimental data.

Example 1

[0033] Preparation of Backcoated Paper Comprising aHydrophilic/Hydrophobic Binder

[0034] A styrene/acrylic copolymer binder (Glascol C44) was blended witha polyvinyl alcohol binder (Celvol 523) at a at a 7:3 ratio by weight.This coating was applied to the backside of a resin-coated photopaperfrom Felix Schoeller at a coat weight of 6 gram/m². The average surfaceroughness of the backside was measured at 6 Sheffield units using aPaper Smoothness Tester, Model 538 from Hagerty Technologies.

Example 2

[0035] Preparation of Backcoated Paper Comprising aHydrophilic/Hydrophobic Binder Having Hydrophobic Beads DispersedTherein

[0036] A styrene/acrylic copolymer binder (Glascol C44) was blended witha polyvinyl alcohol binder (Celvol 523) at a at a 7:3 ratio by weight.To the binder blend was dispersed polyethylene beads (HA 3545) having anaverage particle size from about 0.1 μm to 100 μm. The ratio of totalbinder to beads was 5:2 by weight. This coating was applied to thebackside of a resin-coated photopaper from Felix Schoeller at a coatweight of 6 gram/m². The average surface roughness of the backside wasmeasured at 180 Sheffield units using a Paper Smoothness Tester, Model538 from Hagerty Technologies.

Example 3

[0037] Preparation of Backcoated Paper Comprising a Hydrophilic BinderHaving Hydrophobic Beads Dispersed Therein

[0038] Polyethylene beads (HA 3545) having an average particle size fromabout 0.1 μm to 100 μm were dispersed in a polyvinyl alcohol binder(Celvol 523). The ratio of total binder to beads was 5:2 by weight. Thiscoating was applied to the backside of a resin-coated photopaper fromFelix Schoeller at a coat weight of 6 gram/m². The average surfaceroughness of the backside was measured at 180 Sheffield units using aPaper Smoothness Tester, Model 538 from Hagerty Technologies.

Example 4

[0039] Stacking Performance Comparison of Examples 1-3

[0040] Each of the coated papers of Examples 1-3 were tested forstacking performance by ranking the performance with respect to surfacedamage of a printed image and ink transfer from a printed side of thepaper to the back side of an adjacent paper with a minimal allowance oftime for drying, i.e., about 90 seconds. The image for test was printedon the front side of HP Colorfast paper. The results are provided belowin Table 1 as follows: TABLE I Stacking Performance Results* ExampleSurface Damage Ink transfer 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 2 2

[0041] As can be seen by Table 1, the combination ofhydrophilic/hydrophobic binder having hydrophobic beads dispersedtherein provided the best stacking surface performance results.

Example 5

[0042] Preparation of Backcoated Paper Comprising a HydrophobicBinder/Natural Wax Blend

[0043] A styrene/acrylic copolymer (Glascol C44) was blended with anatual wax (Carnauba ML 156) at a 1:9 ratio by weight. This coating wasapplied to the backside of a resin-coated photopaper from FelixSchoeller at a coat weight of 3 gram/m². The average surface roughnessof the backside was measured at 6 Sheffield units using a PaperSmoothness Tester, Model 538 from Hagerty Technologies.

Example 6

[0044] Preparation of Backcoated Paper Comprising a HydrophobicBinder/Natural Wax Blend

[0045] A styrene/acrylic copolymer (Glascol C44) was blended with anatural wax (Fishcher-Tropsch ME98040M1) at a 1:9 ratio by weight. Thiscoating was applied to the backside of a gelatin-supporting layer whichwas directly coated on a resin-coated photopaper from Felix Schoeller ata coat weight of 6 gram/m². The average surface roughness of thebackside was measured at 37 Sheffield units using a Paper SmoothnessTester, Model 538 from Hagerty Technologies.

Example 7

[0046] Preparation of Backcoated Paper Comprising a HydrophobicBinder/Natural Wax Blend

[0047] A styrene/acrylic copolymer (Glascol C44) was blended with anatual wax (Fishcher-Tropsch ME98040M1) at a 1:9 ratio by weight. Thiscoating was applied to a resin-coated photopaper from Felix Schoeller ata coat weight of 6 gram/m². The average surface roughness of thebackside was measured at 86 Sheffield units using a Paper SmoothnessTester, Model 538 from Hagerty Technologies.

Example 8

[0048] Preparation of Backcoated Paper Comprising a HydrophobicBinder/Natural Wax Blend

[0049] A styrene/acrylic copolymer (Glascol C44) was blended with anatual wax (Fishcher-Tropsch ME98040M1) at a 1:9 ratio by weight. Thiscoating was applied to a resin-coated photopaper from Felix Schoeller ata coat weight of 15 gram/m². The average surface roughness of thebackside was measured at 113 Sheffield units using a Paper SmoothnessTester, Model 538 from Hagerty Technologies.

Example 9

[0050] Preparation of Backcoated Paper Comprising a HydrophobicBinder/Natural Wax Blend

[0051] A styrene/acrylic copolymer (Glascol C44) was blended with anatual wax (Montan ME50228M) at a 1:9 ratio by weight. This coating wasapplied to a resin-coated photopaper from Felix Schoeller at a coatweight of 3 gram/m². The average surface roughness of the backside wasmeasured at 7 Sheffield units using a Paper Smoothness Tester, Model 538from Hagerty Technologies.

Example 10

[0052] Stacking Performance Comparison of Examples 5-9

[0053] The stacking performance exhibited by the coated media preparedaccording to Examples 5-9 is summarized in Table 2 below: TABLE 2Stacking Performance Results* Example Surface Damage Ink transfer 5 1 16 1 2 7 3 3 8 3.5 3.5 9 1 1

[0054] As can be seen from Table 2 above, the hydrophobic binder/naturalwax hydrophobic coatings having increased surface roughness performbetter with respect to both surface damage and ink transfer compared tothose having less surface roughness.

[0055] While the invention has been described with reference to certainpreferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatvarious modifications, changes, omissions, and substitutions can be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention. It is thereforeintended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coated substrate for ink-jet ink printing, saidcoated substrate having a printing surface and an opposing back surface,said printing surface comprising a coating formulated for accepting anink-jet ink composition, and said back surface comprising a coatingformulated for repelling said ink-jet ink composition.
 2. A coatedsubstrate as in claim 1 wherein the printing surface comprises aswellable or polymeric coating.
 3. A coated substrate as in claim 1wherein the back surface comprises a substantially hydrophobic coating.4. A coated substrate as in claim 3 wherein the substantiallyhydrophobic coating comprises a polymeric blend of a hydrophilicpolymeric binder and a hydrophobic polymeric binder, and furthercomprises hydrophobic beads dispersed within the polymeric blend.
 5. Acoated substrate as in claim 4 wherein the hydrophilic polymeric binderto hydrophobic polymeric binder ratio is from 1:5 to 1:1 by weight, andthe polymeric blend to hydrophobic bead ratio is from 1:9 to 8:2 byweight.
 6. A coated substrate as in claim 4 wherein the hydrophilicpolymeric binder to hydrophobic polymeric binder ratio is from 1:4 to2:3 by weight, and the polymeric blend to hydrophobic bead ratio is from1:3 to 3:2 by weight.
 7. A coated substrate as in claim 4 wherein thehydrophilic polymeric binder is selected from the group consisting ofgelatin, modified gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinylalcohol, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyethylene oxide,polyvinyl acetal, modified polyvinyl acetal and combinations thereof,and wherein the hydrophobic polymeric binder is selected from the groupconsisting of styrene/methacrylate copolymers, acrylates, methacrylates,and combinations thereof, and wherein the hydrophobic beads are selectedfrom the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene,polymethacrylate, polyacrylate, polypropylene, glass, silica, andcombinations thereof.
 8. A coated substrate as in claim 4 wherein thehydrophobic beads are from 0.01 μm to 100 μm in size, providing anaverage surface roughness greater than about 80 Sheffield units.
 9. Acoated substrate as in claim 3 wherein the substantially hydrophobiccoating comprises a hydrophobic polymeric binder blended with a naturalwax.
 10. A coated substrate as in claim 9 wherein the hydrophobicpolymeric binder is selected from the group consisting ofstyrene/methacrylate copolymers, styrene/acrylate copolymers, acrylates,methacrylates and combinations thereof; and wherein the natural wax isselected from the group consisting of carnauba wax, montan wax,paraffin, and combinations thereof.
 11. A coated substrate as in claim 9wherein the substantially hydrophobic coating has a hydrophobic binderto natural wax ratio from 1:9 to 9:1 by weight.
 12. A coated substrateas in claim 9 wherein the substantially hydrophobic coating has anaverage surface roughness greater than about 80 Sheffield units. 13.Ink-jet ink printing media, comprising: a) a substrate having a firstside and an opposing second side; b) a hydrophilic polymeric materialcoated on the first side and the second side of the substrate; and c) asubstantially hydrophobic polymeric composite material coated over thehydrophilic polymeric material on the second side of the substrate. 14.Ink-jet ink printing media as in claim 13 wherein the hydrophilicpolymeric material is a member selected from the group consisting ofgelatin, modified gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinylalcohol, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyethylene oxide,polyvinyl acetal, modified polyvinyl acetal and combinations thereof.15. Ink-jet ink printing media as in claim 13 wherein the substantiallyhydrophobic polymeric composite material is a polymeric blend of ahydrophilic polymeric binder and a hydrophobic polymeric binder havingat least 50% by weight of the hydrophobic polymeric binder, and furthercomprising hydrophobic beads dispersed within the polymeric blend. 16.Inkjet printing media as in claim 13 wherein the hydrophobic polymericbinder is selected from the group consisting of styrene/methacrylatecopolymers, styrene/acrylate copolymers, acrylates, methacrylates, andcombinations thereof; the hydrophilic polymeric binder is selected fromthe group consisting of gelatin, modified gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol,modified polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrolidone,polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl acetal, modified polyvinyl acetal andcombinations thereof; and wherein the hydrophobic beads are selectedfrom the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene,polymethacrylate, polyacrylate, polypropylene , glass, silica, andcombinations thereof.
 17. Ink-jet printing media as in claim 15 whereinthe hydrophilic polymeric binder to hydrophobic polymeric binder ratiois from 1:5 to 1:1 by weight, and the polymeric blend to hydrophobicbead ratio is from 1:9 to 8:2 by weight.
 18. Ink-Jet printing media asin claim 15 wherein the hydrophilic polymeric binder to hydrophobicpolymeric binder ratio is from 1:4 to 2:3 by weight, and the polymericblend to hydrophobic bead ratio is from 1:3 to 3:2 by weight. 19.Ink-jet printing media as in claim 13 wherein the hydrophobic beads arefrom 0.1 μm to 100 μm in size, providing an average surface roughnessgreater than about 80 Sheffield units.
 20. Ink-jet printing media as inclaim 13 wherein the substantially hydrophobic polymeric compositematerial comprises a hydrophobic polymeric binder blended with a naturalwax.
 21. Ink-jet printing media as in claim 20 wherein the hydrophobicpolymeric binder is selected from the group consisting ofstyrene/methacrylate copolymers, styrene/acrylate copolymers, acrylates,methacrylates and combinations thereof; and wherein the natural wax isselected from the group consisting of carnauba wax, montan wax,paraffin, and combinations thereof.
 22. Ink-jet printing media as inclaim 20 wherein the substantially hydrophobic composite materialcoating has a hydrophobic binder to natural wax ratio from 1:9 to 9:1 byweight.
 23. Ink-jet printing media as in claim 20 wherein thesubstantially hydrophobic composite material coating has an averagesurface roughness greater than about 80 Sheffield units.
 24. A compositecoating material for overcoating hydrophilic coated printing media,comprising: a) a polymeric blend of a hydrophilic polymeric binder and ahydrophobic polymeric binder, said polymeric blend having a hydrophilicpolymeric binder to hydrophobic polymeric binder ratio from 1:5 to 1:1by weight; and b) hydrophobic beads dispersed within the polymericblend, wherein the polymeric blend to hydrophobic bead ratio is from 1:9to 8:2 by weight.
 25. A composite coating material as in claim 24wherein the hydrophilic polymeric binder to hydrophobic polymeric binderratio is from 1:4 to 2:3 by weight, and wherein the polymeric blend tohydrophobic bead ratio is from 1:3 to 3:2 by weight.
 26. A compositecoating material as in claim 24 wherein the hydrophobic beads are from0.1 μm to 100 μm in size, providing an average surface roughness greaterthan about 80 Sheffield units.
 27. A coated substrate for ink-jet inkprinting, said coated substrate having a printing surface and anopposing back surface, said printing surface comprising a coatingformulated for accepting an ink-jet ink composition, and said backsurface comprising a backcoating formulated for repelling said ink-jetink composition, said backcoating further comprising a hydrophobicpolymeric binder blended with a natural wax.
 28. A coated substrate asin claim 27 wherein the hydrophobic polymeric binder is selected fromthe group consisting of styrene/methacrylate copolymers,styrene/acrylate copolymers, acrylates, methacrylates and combinationsthereof; and wherein the natural wax is selected from the groupconsisting of carnauba wax, montan wax, paraffin, and combinationsthereof.
 29. A coated substrate as in claim 27 wherein the substantiallyhydrophobic coating has a hydrophobic binder to natural wax ratio from1:9 to 9:1 by weight.
 30. A coated substrate as in claim 27 wherein thesubstantially hydrophobic coating has an average surface roughnessgreater than about 80 Sheffield units.